5 Ways to Take Control of Your Health

When you decide to take control of your health, there are a multitude of resources that offer advice. While having a large amount of information at your disposal is convenient, it’s easier to look at the top nuggets of wisdom that are universally accepted as being beneficial.

Get Active

Those who live an active life tend to be healthier and live longer. Health.gov even cites disease prevention as one of the most important reasons to be active.

Going to the gym or taking up running are great ways to stay active, but so are taking brisk walks and making small, daily changes. Parking further from a store and walking or taking the stairs instead of the elevator are easy changes that can have an impact.

Eat Well

Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and protein are delicious, easily accessible, and offer nutrients without the toxins and added sugar in processed food.

Eating well can increase energy levels, help maintain a healthy weight, and stop diseases from taking hold of the body. Every time we choose what to eat we choose what we want to happen within our bodies.

Reduce Stress

Life is fast paced, and this sometimes leaves people feeling constant stress, even when they may not be aware of it. While a certain amount of manageable, low-level stress is normal, constantly feeling stressed out negatively impacts our health.

It’s impossible to give up every stressful activity in our lives, but we can choose activities to counteract stress. Exercise is a great way to relieve tension while elevating your mood. Yoga and meditation offer time for stillness and intentional reflection, allowing individuals to make a conscious decision to release stress from their bodies.

Stay Hydrated

The Center for Disease Control confirms that it is important to drink enough water. In fact, they list water as responsible for temperature regulation and getting rid of waste in our bodies. Our bodies can’t run efficiently when we’re not properly hydrated.

Though exclusively drinking water isn’t a requirement, water is the best option for hydration. Water doesn’t offer extra calories or the large doses of sugar found in carbonated beverages or sports drinks.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Blame it on technology or a busy lifestyle, but most of us don’t get enough sleep. While it seems like a small thing, research shows that consistently getting less than the recommended seven to nine hours can actually change our genes and lead to heart problems and obesity, just to name a couple.

This is an easy fix: turn off electronics, set your alarm for a bed time, and get some shut eye. Your body will thank you throughout life.